Reiteration of the Guidelines in the Announcement of a Work Suspension in the Lower Courts

September 28, 2009

OCA CIRCULAR NO. 131-09

 

In view of the devastating damage/s of typhoon "Ondoy", the following guidelines in the announcement of a work suspension in the lower courts as per OCA Circular No. 110-2008 dated 05 November 2008 are hereby reiterated, to wit:

"In consonance with the provisions of A.M. No. 03-8-02-SC (Guidelines on the Selection and Appointment of Executive Judges and Defining their Powers, Prerogatives and Duties) dated 15 February 2004, in the absence of an announcement from the national or local government, the following guidelines in the suspension of work shall be observed:

1. In case of typhoons where public storm signal no. 1 or 2 has been raised by PAG-ASA, there shall be no work suspension;

2. In case of typhoons where public storm signal no. 3 has been raised by PAG-ASA, suspension of work shall be subject to the discretion of the Executive Judge with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator; and

3. In case of:

a.) flash flood (with or without typhoon);

b.) transport strikes and other large-scale public strikes and/or rallies; and ETIHCa

c.) other situations necessitating suspension of work,

suspension of work shall likewise be subject to the discretion of the Executive Judge with notice to the Office of the Court Administrator.

If an announcement of work suspension is deemed necessary by the Executive Judge, a report on the circumstances thereof (e.g., date, time, reason) shall be immediately communicated to the Court Administrator who shall verify the need for the early dismissal.

An abuse of the prerogative to suspend work shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action."

For strict compliance.

 

(SGD.) JOSE P. PEREZCourt Administrator